The Duchess of Cambridge to begin maternity leave ahead of Royal Baby

The Duchess of Cambridge is to begin maternity this week, after attending her final engagement.

Kate, who is eight months pregnant, completed her final engagements visiting Southampton last Thursday to take part in the naming ceremony the new liner ‘Royal Princess’ and took part in Trooping the Colour on Saturday to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday.

On Saturday, the Duchess joined Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry as their carriage led the Queen’s Birthday Parade. The mum-to-be looked stunning in a pale pink Alexander McQueen coat and a beautiful matching hat, one previously worn by Kate at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party last year.

The Duchess took part in the annual Parade, which celebrates the Queen’s birthday, as her final engagement, and appeared to be enjoying the days festivities waving and smiling to the crowds.

Despite the blustery conditions, the Duchess dazzled the crowd in a elegant monochrome leopard print coat from Hobbs, as she made a brief speech and took part in the tradition of smashing a bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull.

“I christen this ship Royal Princess. May God bless her and all those who sail in her,” the expectant royal declared.

The engagement marked the beginning of the Duchess of Cambridge’s break in her royal life as she prepares for the birth of her and Prince William’s first child.

The naming ceremony would have brought back special memories for Kate, as it echoed her very first engagement she undertook with William.

In February 2011, just two months before their wedding at Westminster Abbey, the couple took part in a RNLI Lifeboat naming ceremony in Treaddur Bay, near William’s Anglesey base.

Since then, the Duchess has undertaken royal duties around the world visiting Canada, Los Angeles, Denmark and South-East Asia.

Kate has embraced her royal life and has been determined to work as close to her July birth day as possible.

“Kate has really enjoyed her job and wanted to work as close to the birth date as possible,” a royal source revealed.

Following her final engagements, the Duchess is now expected to prepare for motherhood and will reportedly move in with her parents following the birth of the new third-in-line.